Obituary of Willard Junior Kelsey

Willard Junior Kelsey, 85, of Linn Creek, Missouri, departed this life on Sunday, April 14, 2013. Willard was born July 2, 1927 in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Willard and Martha (Luttmann) Kelsey. On July 26, 1946 he was united in marriage to Bertha Sallee in Kirksville. They lived and raised their family in the Kirksville, Missouri area until 1999 when they moved to Linn Creek. Willard is survived by two daughters, Vickie Baldwin and husband, Steve, of Linn Creek, Missouri, and Patty Weeks and husband, Sheldon, of Port St. Lucie, Florida; six grandchildren: Rebecca Dautenhahn and her husband Jon; Paul Baldwin and his wife Amanda; Rachel Starner and her husband Mark; Rachelle Weeks, Roxanne Weeks, and Renae Weeks; great- grandchildren Levi, Lucas, Nathan, and Noah; as well as several other relatives and friends. Willard was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha, his parents, two brothers and four sisters, and one daughter, Martha Hansen. Willard was a World War II veteran having served in the Navy. He retired from Donaldson Corporation. He loved baseball and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He enjoyed hunting quail, pitching horseshoes, playing cards, and spending time outside doing yard work. He especially enjoyed his dogs and had a soft heart for every stray dog that came along.